Combined elastic corset busk and clasp



(No Model.)

0. STEVENS. COMBINED ELASTIC CORSET BUSKAND GLASP.

Patented Apr. 15

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rArEs NlTE ATENT COMBINED ELASTIC CORSET BUSK AND CLASP.

SPECIPICA TION forming part of Letters Patent No. 296,888, dated April 15, 1884.

I I V Application filed July 2, 1883. (No model.)

T0 at whom it nay concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. 'Srnvnns, a citizen-of the United States of America, residing at New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Elastic Corset Busks and Clasps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an article of manufacture known as a corset-busk; and it consists of a corset-husk having a peculiar zigzag or. waving form, upon which is arranged a se ries of movable clasps. This novel arrangement of the necessary fastening devices upon the angulated corset-husk admits of a lateral vibratory movement of each clasp independently, or the whole series collectively, thereby furnishing a simple and convenient elastic fastening device for the corset, which retains the functions of the corset-steel heretofore in use i. a, providing the necessary vertical support and form for the body of the wearer.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a detached portion of a corset, showing one of the closingedges having one of my improved corset-busks, A, secured thereto. Said corsetbush and appurtenant clasps are shown in this view by both solid and broken lines. The corset material is represented as being removed at the top, also at the bottom of this view, that the relative positions of the corsetbush and corset material could be more easily discerned, by which it will be seen that the corset husk and clasps are placed between the folded material, with the ends of the clasps protruding through the edge of the corset, as at a, b, c, and d. The corset-husk A is retained in this position by stitching the corset material together near the back edge of the corset-bask, as represented by the broken line 6 and a. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the improved corset busl; and clasps. The points of the angulated corset-husk, upon which the clasps a and c in this view are superimposed, are represented in a compressed position. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are views of detailed parts of the elastic fastening device, being set forth more fully hereinafter. Fig. 6 shows a cross-section of a piece of round wire, of which the angulated corset-husk, Fig. 3, is made, Fig. 7 showing the same cross-section after it has been fiattened.

Apiece of round spring-wire of the required length, being bent upon itself at'the ends to form a spring of the peculiar waving form represented in Fig. 3, is then submitted. without heating, to sufficient pressure, by passing it'longitudinally between steelpressure-rolls or some similar process which will flatten the busk, and a cross-section on linear mwill resemble the flattened busk as shown in Fig. 7. While this process of flattening the wire in a cold state increases the elasticity of the same,

it also renders the wire thin, enabling the use of very flat and thin tubular clasps, which avoid a bulky and cumbersome appearance when placed in the corset.

While I prefer the corset-husk made in the manner described, I do not confine myself to that particular mode, as I am aware that various ways may be resorted to to produce an angulated corset-busk-e. a punch anddie of the requisite angulated form may be used bar f for the purpose of strengthening the cor- 8 5 set-husk as a vertical support to the wearer, and may be dispensed with without impairing the efficiency of the improved corset-busk. By the narrow oblong aperture i, Figs. 4 and 5, the clasps are adapted to be located upon 90 the angulated corset-bask, in the manner described, and while they are capable of a lateral movement upon the bush, they also serve as bands to surround the same, thereby preventing-any twisting of the angulated busk. 5

The niches m m at the ends of the angulated busk A, Fig. 3, serve as a means of retaining the end clasps, a and d, in position.

Having described the different parts of my improved elastic fastening device, the opera- TOO tion and functions of the same are as follows, viz: As the elastic fastening device is adapted to be used in conj unction with other forms of corset clasps, busks, 860., a corset provided In the solid projectwith one or more of my improved oorset-busks, when placed about the body, owing to the novel arrangement of the several parts of the improved elastic fastening device, it will readily adjust itself to any movement of the wearer which causes any strain to come upon the clasps, said strain causing a lateral movement of the clasp, and bringing the point upon which it is superimposed into the compressed position, as a and c, Fig. 2, which at once recoils upon being relieved of the strain, carrying the clasp back to its former position, as shown by dotted lines at 7a,.Fig. 2. The yielding of the longitudinally-bent corset-husk allows the movable fastening devices to freely act laterally thereupon, and as the chest is expanded and contracted in the act of breathing, so will the corset adj u st itself to such movement when provided with the improved elastic fastening device.

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, an elas tic fastening device for corsets, consisting of the angulated husk A, bent upon itself at the ends to form a spring, and secured to the end clasps by niches m m, together with the movable clasps a, b, c, and (1, provided with studs and slots, the whole being arranged to'operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 

